{
  "id": 1830931,
  "title": "Belgium veteran Witsel signs for Nice",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/belgium-veteran-witsel-signs-for-nice-1830931",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T22:50:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/08/19/belgium-veteran-witsel-signs-for-nice"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel has inked a one-year contract with Nice, with a potential extension for another season, according to sources familiar with the transfer. The 37-year-old played in Belgium's World Cup campaign, collecting his 140th international cap in a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to eventual champions Spain. Witsel previously spent the previous season at Girona, tallying 32 La Liga outings, though the team struggled to avoid relegation. His playing history also includes time at Standard Liege, Benfica, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Tianjin Quanjian, Borussia Dortmund, and Atletico Madrid. Witsel's signing aims to bolster Nice's defense, replacing Laurent Abergel, who suffered a major knee injury during pre-season training following his move from Lorient. Fans can anticipate Witsel to be fit and ready for Nice's Ligue 1 opener against local rivals Lorient on Saturday.",
  "summary": "Midfielder Axel Witsel joins to help cover for Laurent Abergel, who suffered a serious knee injury after signing from Lorient.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Belgium veteran Witsel signs for Nice",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/belgium-veteran-witsel-signs-for-nice",
        "published": "2026-08-18T22:50:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}